A London businessman has been killed by an avalanche while climbing with friends in the Italian Alps.
Witnesses described seeing part of the mountain give way. Shay Casey, 40, was thrown 50 metres by the force of the snow and ice.
Mr Casey, a chartered accountant from Putney, was climbing on Monte Rosa in Valle d’Aosta in north-west Italy. He is understood to have suffered head and neck injuries as the avalanche triggered a rock slide which swept him away.
His heartbroken family, including parents Jim and Joan Casey and four brothers and sisters, paid tribute to Mr Casey. In a statement, they said: “It is with deep sadness that the Casey family confirms the tragic death of their youngest brother, Shay Casey.
“An avid and experienced outdoor sportsman, he was climbing with friends in Aosta, Northern Italy when an avalanche occurred.
“Tragically Shay suffered serious injuries and was killed by the force of the snowslide. His body has been recovered and the family is being assisted by the Department of Foreign Affairs.”
Mr Casey, whose family are well-known in their hometown of Cork, Ireland for their furniture business, was in Italy with 11 friends and was climbing with a guide when the tragedy occurred last Thursday.
Weather in the area was described as being “mixed” over recent weeks, and it was feared rain may have loosened rocks on the mountain. The area is hugely popular with hikers and mountaineers from all over Europe.
Mr Casey, who had lived in London for more than 10 years, had been director of strategy and business development at the Birmingham shopping centre The Mailbox which is due to open in spring 2015. It is understood he had taken some time off after his 40th birthday and had stepped down in March this year.
In a statement, former colleagues said: “Everyone at The Mailbox is deeply shocked and saddened by the recent news about their friend and former colleague Shay Casey.
“He will be greatly missed by everyone at The Mailbox and our thoughts are with his family and friends.”
